Method of stringing a thread through a hole

ABSTRACT

A method whereby a continuously advancing strand issuing from a supply is threaded through an aperture with a closed circumference comprising the steps of blowing the strand to divert it into an open looped path directed towards the aperture, blowing at least a part of the strand in the loop through the aperture, entraining part of the strand beyond the aperture in a suction gun, and severing the strand between the gun and a collecting means after the strand has been diverted.

United States Patent 91 Coats et al.

[451 June 26,1973

[ METHOD OF STRINGING A THREAD THROUGH A HOLE [75] Inventors: Robert Reid Coats; John Michael Greenway, both of Harrogate, England [73] Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, London, England [22] Filed: May 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 141,705

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 27, 1970 Great Britain 25,530/70 June 9, 1970 Great Britain....'. 27,840/70 [52] U.S.CI 83/22, 83/402, 226/92 [51] Int. Cl. 820d 7/08, G03b 1/56 [58] Field of Search 83/22, 402; 226/91,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,452,910 7/1969 Richter 226/91 3,529,755 9/1970 Spanenberg et a1. 226/92 X 9/1949 Caille 226/91 Primary Examiner'-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorney-Cushmz-in, Darby & Cushman [5 7] ABSTRACT A method whereby a continuously advancing strand issuing from a supply is threaded through an aperture with a closed circumference comprising the steps of blowing the strand to divert it into an open looped path directed towards the aperture, blowing at least a part of the strand in the loop through the aperture, entraining part of the strand beyond the aperture in a suction gun, and severing the strand between the gun and a collecting means after the strand has been diverted.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures Patented June 26, 1973 3,741,050

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Patented June 26, 1973 3,741,050

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvenlors 25667 5%? 624715 Mam/177707951. Win hw This invention relates to the threading of an advancing strand such as a yarn through an aperture with a closed circumference.

Machinery for processing a yarn or like strand can be designed for threading the strand through the machine before it has been started, or during an initial slow running period, or at normal processing speed. Especially in the latter case it is common to arrange for threading to be possible without having to pass the strand through an aperture with a closed circumference. However such apertures cannot always be avoided, two examples being the ring of a ring and traveller wind up mechanism and a false twisting bush as disclosed in British Pat. No. 797,051.

According to one aspect of this invention we provide a method wherebye a continuously advancing strand issuing from a supply means and entrained in a collecting means may be threaded through an aperture with a closed circumference, comprising the steps of blowing the strand to divert it into an open looped path directed towards the aperture,'blowing at least a part of the strand in the loop through the aperture, entraining part of the strand beyond the aperture in a suction gun adapted to maintain at least some tension in the strand, and severing the strand between the gun and the collection means after the strand has been diverted.'We prefer that the suction gun is also used as the initial collection means; and we prefer to sever the strand after the moment of second entrainment, so that after a first open loop is diverted through the aperture, a second closed loop is formed from the gun through the aperture and back to the gun and the closed loop is then severed leaving the strand travelling in a direct path from the supply means through the aperture to the gun. We prefer that the blowing is effected by compressed air. The severing may also conveniently be effected by means actuated by compressed air butother means may also be used: for example when a second closed loop is formed, severing may be by means of a yieldable guide and a blade of the kind disclosed in our copending British Pat. Application Ser. No. 5592/70.

According to another aspect of our invention we provide a tool for threading an advancing strand through an aperture comprising (a) means adapted to produce a fluid jet, (b) strand severing means and (c) guiding means adapted to guide an advancing strand in operative proximity to means (a) and (b) Wherebye a strand may be blown by the jet into a looped path and severed. We prefer to provide an operative member adapted both to cause a jet and shortly thereafter to operate a cutter. We particularly prefer that the threading tool of the invention be'adapted to be mounted on a suction gun or to have a suction gun mounted on it, in such disposition that the jet nozzle and gun throat are in line and may be held with the aperture to be threaded between them. For the better understanding of the invention one specific threading process and one specific threading tool will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the operative parts of apparatus for threading by the method of the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a perspective and partly cut away view of a threading tool according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 a blowing tube 1 is connected via 7 and three guides 6, 7 and 8 are adapted to control the position of a strand 9 advancing from supply means not shown to a suction gun 10 which is also connected to the source of compressed air not shown.

In operation, the suction gun is placed behind a member 11 containing a hole 12 to be threaded, and the threading tool is placed with its blowing tube 1 close to the entrance to hole 12. When valve 2 is opened the strand 9 is blown through hole 12 into suction gun 10. Air pressure meanwhile builds up in cylinder 4 and then operates cutter 5 which cuts the loop formed through hole 12 and round guide 8, leaving the advancing strand running as required from the supply means through hole 12 to suction gun 10.

The suction gun and blowing tube may be curved so as to be suitable for threading less readily accessible holes.

It will be appreciated that depending on the weight, speed and tension of the strand, and on the length of the aperture, the air pressure and the time lapse between the operation of valve 2 and cutter 5, this apparatus is suitable for carrying out the method of the invention in different sequences of steps.

Referring to FIG. 2, the tool comprises a body 21 to which is connected a flexible pipe 22 leading from a compressed air supply, a cutter 23, a blowing jet 24, three yarn guides 25, 26 and 27, a shoe 28 adapted for connection to the body of a suction gun, and a trigger 29 located adjacent a handle part 30 of the body 21. Trigger 29 operates a valve within body 21 between pipe 22 and internal duct 31. Duct 31 opens into jet 24 and has a side duct 32 opening into a cylinder 33 fitted with a piston 34 connected to a rod 35 adapted to actuate cutter 23. A spring '36 urges piston 34 and rod 35 to move cutter 23 into its open position.

In operation a yarn 37 continuously advancing from a delivery means to a suction gun is threaded into guides25, 26 and 27 and the gun is mounted'on shoe 28 facing jet 24. The tool is positioned with a hole to be threaded between the gun and jet 24. On operation of trigger 29, jet 24 blows a loop of the yarn 37 towards the hole to be threaded, and piston 34 is urged to the right. Cutter 23 then cuts the yarn and jet 24 blows a loop of yarn into the suction gun, which also collects the waste yarn downstream of the cutter. On release of the trigger, piston 34 and cutter 23 are returned by spring 36. The yarn 37 is then released from guide 25 and is travelling directly from the supply means through the hole to the gun as required.

What we claim is:

1. A method for threading through an aperture or passageway a strand which is advancing'from a supply means to an aspirator means, the method comprising the steps of guiding the strand adjacent to the passageway entrance, blowing the strand into a diverted path through the passageway and back, entraining into the aspirator that part of the diverted strand blown through the passageway thereby forming a loop of strand from the aspirator through the passageway and back to the aspirator, and severing that loop, whereby the severed parts of the loop are sucked into the aspirator and a single advancing strand remains travelling from the supply means through the passageway to the aspirator. 

1. A method for threading through an aperture or passageway a strand which is advancing from a supply means to an aspirator means, the method comprising the steps of guiding the strand adjacent to the passageway entrance, blowing the strand into a diverted path through the passageway and back, entraining into the aspirator that part of the diverted strand blown through the passageway thereby forming a loop of strand from the aspirator through the passageway and back to the aspirator, and severing that loop, whereby the severed parts of the loop are sucked into the aspirator and a single advancing strand remains travelling from the supply means through the passageway to the aspirator. 